"Yes... as right as anyone can be after discovering her mother's dying. By
the way, I'm Gabrielle," replied the still incredulous blonde woman, vainly
trying to smile.

"It's not a pleasure to meet you under these circumstances, Gabrielle. I'm
sorry for your mother," the soldier softly said.

"Thank you."

"Can you ride?"

"No, I'm afraid I can't. Besides, nobody could ride with these chains on,"
she answered, indicating the manacles she still wore at her ankles and wrists.

"Oh, yeah, the chains, I almost forgot," Martinus said, slapping his forehead,
as he took a small key from his pocket. Then he knelt and unfastened the ankle
restraints, then the wrists.

"Thank you, sir." Gabrielle happily massaged her sore wrists.

"You have to thank the Conqueror," replied Martinus, guiding the young woman
through the castle corridors, "She said they're not necessary. And I think she's
right. If you want to reach Poteidaia as fast as possible you have to behave."

"I will," Gabrielle nodded seriously. She had no intention of running from
the fastest way to her mother.

"I think so. But by night I'll have you chained as well, just to be sure. So
you can't ride, uh?"

"No, sorry. I can hardly walk, after all those days in a cell..."

"Then we'll have to get a cart for you. Ah, please call me Martinus, will you?"

They reached a courtyard, where fifteen horsemen where chatting, warming at
the weak afternoon sun, waiting for orders. Martinus signaled one of them and,
when he approached, ordered him to get another cart and a blanket for "the girl."
Then he realized Gabrielle was shivering. And smiling. Quickly he put his brown
woolen cloak around her shoulders and simply asked, "Dinar for your thoughts."

"Uh? Thanks, sir... Martinus. I was just thinking how wonderful it is to see
the sky again. And breathing clean air... I hadn't realized how I loved this
until I lost it."

I like this child, the soldier thought; smiling, he sadly replied, "Yes. I
know what you mean. Many people start appreciating things after they've lost
them," and his eyes for a moment were lost on a point in the sky.

Surprised at his words, Gabrielle studied for the first time her new warden:
he was thin and tall, grey hair and had wrinkles on his face making him seem
really old. On the other hand, his bold demeanor and lively eyes clearly indicated
that he was much younger than he looked. She couldn't determine his age, but
was sure of one thing: this man was a veteran.

Embarrassed from the woman's stare, he cleared his throat and started yelling
orders to the men, who efficiently mounted their horses and divided in two groups:
half of them positioned themselves ahead of a wagon which Gabrielle thought
carried supplies. The other half took position behind it, leaving just enough
room for a second, approaching cart.

"You'll travel in the second one," Martinus explained, indicating the arriving
cart. "I hope it's comfortable enough." He helped the blonde woman up into the
cart.

She gratefully accepted his help and gave him his cloak back. "Oh, it will
be more comfortable than a horse, don't worry. Here, this is yours. I won't
need it now that I'm under cover. But thanks again."

"My pleasure," he replied. "We'll leave immediately and won't stop until after
sunset. We have to hurry if we want to reach Poteidaia in time. I don't want
you to put your head out of the cart until I'll tell you. Got it?" Gabrielle
realized Martinus was deadly serious. He probably didn't want any of the rebels
to see her leaving. She wanted to protest, but knowing that her opportunity
to see her mother depended on him, she simply nodded and entered the cart, closing
the curtain behind her.

Martinus yelled an order and the column moved. Alone in the cart Gabrielle
started wondering in which state she would find her mother in Poteidaia... if
they could get there in time. The thought almost made her cry. Only a candlemark
before, she was so happy knowing Ephiny was free and she thought she had found
complete peace, that nothing could hurt her anymore. And now... She struggled
to force these thoughts out of her mind. Gently rocked by the cart's movement
and helped by the wonderful feeling of a pallet instead of cold stone under
her, Gabrielle soon fell asleep.

_____________________________

Gabrielle woke up when the cart stopped and Martinus called her. She poked
her head out of the curtain and was surprised to see it was pitch dark. The
soldiers had made camp and were all busy: some of them were tending to the horses,
others were building a fire, others were mounting guard at the perimeter of
the clearing.

"I thought you might be hungry," Martinus said, "dinner will be ready soon."

"Uh, fine" replied Gabrielle, amazed at the efficiency of the men who at first
sight seemed nothing more than cutthroats. "May I help somehow?" she asked,
getting out of the wagon.

"Well, there's no need, but if you really want to help, you can help the cook."
He playfully whispered in her ear, "He's a disaster."

She winked conspiratorially, "I'll see what I can do," and headed towards the
cook.

Martinus, amazed, watched Gabrielle approach the big man with a disarming smile,
then start silently cutting vegetables at his orders, then tentatively giving
advice... after a few minutes he was cutting vegetables while the blonde woman
explained which herbs to use and which not. The soldier chuckled. Maybe tonight
they will have something edible.

Gabrielle proved to be a great cook. The soldiers showed genuine appreciation
for her soup, but she still noticed they watched her with clear contempt. After
all she was a traitor, a rebel, a prisoner... simply scum to their eyes. After
a while, unable to bear the hostile looks any longer, she asked to be led again
to the cart to sleep. Then suddenly she got a idea. Turning back, she approached
Martinus and tentatively spoke "Martinus, I don't know if you know this, but
I'm a bard. Do you think I could tell some stories..." she looked at the surrounding
soldiers, "just to lighten the mood?" even my mood, she mentally added, so I
won't think about mom.

"You a bard? Sure, go on," replied the surprised man.

Gabrielle smiled, stood and cleared her throat. When she was sure she had the
soldiers' attention, she started: "I sing the story of the mighty Achilles..."

For candlemarks, the young woman told stories of war and love. Of heroism and
betrayal. Of sacrifice and victory. When she finished, every soldier had moist
eyes. She smiled. She no longer felt uncomfortable among them. They were looking
at her with newfound respect and admiration.

That same night, just after Gabrielle had retired to her cart, the horses suddenly
became nervous. Their neighs became more and more persistent and everyone in
the camp woke. The blonde woman poked her head out of the wagon and addressed
the closest soldier, who, to Gabrielle's surprise, had his sword unsheathed:
"What's up?"

He shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe the horses smell some predator. A lion, maybe."

"A lion?? Oh gods."

"Hey, Gabrielle, don't you tell me a big cat scares yo... what the..." before
the soldier could finish his sentence the ground started shaking under his feet,
lightly at first then more and more, making him stumble and fall. The horses,
mad with fear, kicked and reared, trying to break free from their restraints.
The earth emitted a low, threatening growl, like a far away thunder. Gabrielle
felt her heart beat faster than ever before, her breath laboured and short.
Then as quickly as it started, after endless moments, the earthquake subsided.

The commander then approached Gabrielle. "Are you okay?" She nodded, not trusting
her voice.

"Don't worry. We're in a clearing, there's no danger here. Besides, I think
the center of the quake was quite far from here." The blonde woman watched Martinus
doubtfully. "I come from a region plagued by earthquakes," he patiently explained
"Trust me, this was a strong one, but I know we're safe. You hear a much bigger
noise when you're close to the center. Trust me. Now try to sleep."

Gabrielle nodded and lay on her blanket again, but for that night Morpheus
did not come to her.

_____________________________

"Ephiny, wait, let me help you."

"Solari, please, I can stand alone, you know?" Replied an annoyed Ephiny.

"Yes, but you shouldn't strain. The healer said you're not healed yet."

"Nothing, but Melas says he has a plan. Can you walk downstairs where the others..."
an annoyed glance cut off her sentence. She cleared her throat, "Fine then,
the others are waiting for us."

When they arrived in the living room, everyone stood to let Ephiny have a seat.
The Amazon sat on a chair close to the fireplace and rolled her eyes. "Please!
Stop pampering me. I'm not going to die, you know? I'm fine. Give me another
week and even my arm will be perfect again..."

"Come on, Ephiny, you can't seriously ask us to forget what you've been through,"
said Eponin.

"What I've been through doesn't matter: it's past. What really matters is to
know what is happening to Gabrielle now." The Amazon seriously replied.

"We may know it very soon," Ipheus explained. "Melas, repeat what you just
told me."

"It's true! Give him some metal and a forge, and he'll do anything you want
with the metal," Melas enthusiastically explained.

"Sorry, Melas, but I still can't see how he can help us..." said a puzzled
Ephiny.

"How? Working from the inside! He can go to the castle and ask for a job. With
all the soldiers and horses they have down there, they'll surely hire him. And
staying there he'll be able to learn something about Gabrielle."

"Sure!" said Eponin. "They may even let him inside the dungeon, to repair a
chain or whatever... It's a great idea."

"But it's risky, too. Are you sure you want this, boy?" Asked Perdicus, still
dubious about the plan.

"I am. I always wanted to join you, but Melas always said I was too young.
Now I have the opportunity to do something good. Of course I want it!" Gar seriously
replied.

Ephiny watched her companions one by one, and saw each of them nod their agreement.
"So it's decided. You'll go." She said. "But promise you'll be careful, Gar.
You're young. And you're Gabrielle's only hope."

"I promise. I won't fail you," he replied proudly. Then rose and left the house
with his brother.

_____________________________

During the following days Gabrielle and her escort moved just after sunrise
and stopped only for lunch and dinner. Gabrielle helped the cook and at night
told stories to her guards. When Poteidaia was in sight, the soldiers were almost
sorry their travel was over. Gabrielle instead just wanted to see her mother
as soon as possible. When they reached her little house she jumped down from
the cart and entered without knocking or waiting for permission from Martinus.

"What the...." The woman whirled from tending the fire, startled by the door
suddenly opening. "...Gabrielle??"

"Yes, Lila, it's me. Where's mother?" Gabrielle said, in a hurry.

"In her bedroom, sleeping. Or at least she was..."

Gabrielle cursed herself for having made noise and quietly ran to her mother's
chamber. She slowly opened the door a little and sighed with relief when she
saw her mother was still asleep. She then closed the door and went to face her
sister, who was waiting in the main room with her fists on her hips and a surprised
expression on her face.

"Lila..." she just managed to say before hugging her sister with all her strength.

"Hey, easy Gabrielle, you're breaking my bones!" laughed the other woman, returning
the hug. Then she realized her elder sister was crying. "Gabrielle?" No answer.
"What's wrong, Gabrielle?" The older woman did not reply. After a while Lila
moved Gabrielle to a chair and whispered softly, "Come on, sis, sit down. Would
you like some tea?" Gabrielle nodded, still sobbing. Lila heated some water
and prepared two mugs of tea. Seeing her sister calming a little, after some
moments she tentatively asked "Better now?" Gabrielle nodded. Lila continued.
"What's happened to you, Gabrielle? You arrive here all of a sudden, you're
thinner than you've ever been, have circles under your eyes, burst out crying...
what's wrong?"

Gabrielle wiped the tears away "Oh, Lila, I thought I would never see you or
mother again... I've been arrested in Corinth."

"What? Then how..." Lila anxiously ran to close the still half open door. Gabrielle
took another sip of tea. "Don't worry, sis. The Conqueror herself allowed me
to be here. Don't ask me why. She just told me that mother was dying and that,
if I wanted, I could visit her."

"So she set you free?" The younger woman asked with disbelief. The Conqueror
wasn't exactly famous for her compassion.

Gabrielle shook her head. "No, she just gave me an escort of guards. I don't
know how long I can stay. Lila, I wasn't even sure I could arrive in time."

Lila nodded, serious. "The Conqueror must be well informed. Mother isn't well
at all. She stays in bed all day. As you saw, she sleeps sitting, with pillows
under her back. When she's laying she can't breathe at all. She has a bad cough,
sometimes coughs blood... I don't know how long she'll live, but she'll be happy
to see you. She asked for you so many times, but we didn't know where to find
you in Corinth..."

Gabrielle smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry Lila, we kept moving all the time.
It was the only thing to do."

"Don't apologize, Gabrielle. You know, I don't understand why you couldn't
fit here in Poteidaia, I don't like your choice to fight the Conqueror. But
I do realize that after making those decisions, you couldn't really keep in
touch with us." Gabrielle smiled thankfully. "Perdicus?" asked Lila.

"I think he's fine. I was arrested alone. I've haven't seen him since then."

"Thank the gods at least he is safe. Honestly, how did she treat you, Gabrielle?"
Lila asked, obviously meaning Xena, with a worried look on her face.

"Better than I expected. She's not the monster she pretends to be, you know?
I think she's just a woman who had to face events bigger than herself... And
now she's lonely, but refuses to admit it..."

Lila thought Gabrielle was crazy. The blonde woman felt the dubious look of
her sister and changed subject. "But I don't want to talk about her now. Tell
me about Hector and the children. Where are they? Is Marcus still so lively?"

"Even more, if possible," promptly replied the younger woman, happy to talk
about her family "And now that mom is ill I can't always be after him. Thank
the gods the neighbors help me with little Herodotus when Hector is on the fields.
Cyane is babysitting Marcus right now."

"Now that I'm here I'll help you too, Lila," offered the older woman. The sound
of a cough silenced Gabrielle. The two women rose and headed to their mother's
room. Lila winked and gestured for Gabrielle to stay outside, then she entered
the simply furnished room and lit a candle.

"Already awake, mom? You promised you would rest for a while," she teased.

"Very... funny. As if... it depended on... me," the old woman answered with
unease.

"You're right. I'm really impudent. I think I must do something to let you
forgive me, uh? Let's see: what about a surprise?"

"A surprise?" Hecuba weakly asked.

"Yep. Surprise, come in!"

Gabrielle stepped in, smiling, "Hello, mom."

"Gabrielle? Gabrielle! Oh gods... it's you!" The old woman opened her arms
and immediately her elder daughter ran to embrace her.

"Yes, mom, it's me. I'm here," she managed to say, then there were only tears
of joy.

Chapter 15

During the following weeks, Gabrielle never left her mother's side. Hector
and Lila told her that the soldiers who had brought her home had left Poteidaia
the day after they arrived, without a word to her. She didn't understand why,
and had no time to think about it. Hecuba's health declined with every passing
day.

Lila was as concerned for her sister as for her mother. Gabrielle insisted
on watching Hecuba every night and only left the house to go to the well. Even
her appetite was affected. At last, Lila decided to do something. One day at
lunch, seeing Gabrielle once again leave half of her meal untouched, she knew
it was time to act.

"Gabrielle, we need to talk," she said seriously.

"Uh? Sure, about what?"

"About you, Gab. You can't go on like this. You're going to get sick,
too."

Lila rolled her eyes, "Of course not! You're not thinking about what you're
doing! You're always here in the house. You don't sleep. You don't eat. When
you're not with mom, you clean the house or feed the children or cook something
for us..."

"Oh, I think you'll recognize him. He's the only stranger. Anyway, he sells
pottery and his name should be Attalus, if I'm not mistaken." the younger woman
said nonchalantly.

"Thanks. See you later," the blonde woman said and hurriedly left the house.

Hector smiled, "Good job, dear."

_____________________________

The merchant was still at the main square, carefully packing his goods in a
cart. He was a short man in his forties, with curly black hair and a captivating
smile. Gabrielle chose not to waste time.

"Excuse me sir, are you Attalus the merchant?"

"Yes, I am. What can I do for you, my beautiful lady?" He smiled broadly.

"Well, my sister told me she heard you say something about the Conqueror, and
I was wondering if you could repeat your story for me," she hurriedly explained.

"Mmm, and why exactly would you like to hear it?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.

"Because I'm the bard of this village and I always need new stories," Besides,
I'm personally interested in everything regarding the Warrior Princess, she
mentally added. "Please?"

"Oh, well, if that's the reason... but I don't think it will make a great story,
you know?" he shrugged and started explaining. "Anyway. You must know that almost
two moons ago I was in Killini with some colleagues. One night, all of a sudden,
the earth started shaking. It shakes and trembles and shakes... and seems that
it will never stop... We were at the inn, already sleeping. It had to be the
most terrible awakening of all my life." Gabrielle shuddered at the memory.
He continued, "The inn fell down like a castle of cards. We were in a room on
the upper floor and that saved me. A beam missed me by a hair's width. A friend
of mine wasn't so lucky. I slowly managed to crawl out of the ruins." He squared
his shoulders solemnly. "Being short and thin has its advantages, sometimes.
But what I saw next made the blood freeze in my veins. Under the moonlight I
could see only ruins. Not a single house was standing. Slowly, others climbed
out of the ruins, covered in dust, and we started digging to see if anyone else
was alive." He paused and continued with a sad voice. "We continued all the
following day. For every person we found alive, we always found at least four
dead. The next day we were exhausted, it was so cold, we had had almost nothing
to eat and we had slept on the ground, but still there were a lot of houses
to search and corpses to burn..." The merchant shivered remembering the funeral
fires, burning for days, then continued, "That's when she arrived, on that big
black horse. She was followed by fifty horsemen. At her signal they all dismounted.
Some of them took care of the horses, others started building tents and cooking
for the survivors, others started digging. She took care of the wounded. If
I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed. She stitched, bandaged,
cleaned wounds, set bones... she was amazing. In late afternoon many other houses
had been checked, but only few people had been extracted alive. None of us believed
there were any more survivors, and the officer in charge called a stop to the
digging that night without asking her, planning to start again the following
morning. When she got out of the healer's tent she saw the soldiers resting
and went mad. She called that officer and asked for an explanation, with the
coldest voice I've ever heard. He paled and babbled something about letting
the men rest. She closed her eyes, clenched her fists and took several deep
breaths. We all thought she was going to kill him on the spot and held our breath.
But she just ordered the search to continue at the light of the torches and
funeral fires if necessary. She herself joined the soldiers. That night, some
soldiers started yelling that they had heard something from under the ruins.
Everyone came to see what they found. Xena hushed everyone and, in the silence
that followed, we heard the cry of a baby. It was weak, but unmistakable. Xena
and the soldiers started digging again bare handed and cleared a small passage
to the baby, but the ruins were unstable and threatened to fall upon them at
any minute. The Conqueror then ordered them all to stay away and tied a rope
to her feet. She crawled head first into the passage and after a while yelled
to pull the rope. When she reappeared her arms and legs were full of bruises
and scratches, but the baby was alive in her arms. I could swear I saw her crying,
but I don't know if it was because of the dust..."

"Amazing!" Gabrielle exclaimed in wonder.

"Yeah. She was incredible. We had almost forgot who she was, when the soldiers
caught two thieves."

"Who?"

"Scum. Men who taking advantage from the confusion tried to rob the survivors.
Xena had them impaled at the entrance of the town." He shrugged, "She was really
the Conqueror. The following day she left on her own, to check the victims and
the soldiers she sent in the other villages of the region. I've never seen her
again. That's all, girl, I hope you can make a good story of it."

"Oh, you can count on it. Thank you for telling me," said Gabrielle and, still
astonished, she left the merchant. So Xena had spared a general and risked her
life to save a baby. She didn't content herself sending aid, she had gone personally...
but why? Nobody could force her to go. She could simply direct the operations
from Corinth, but she had chosen to be there. And she let me come here, too,
the blonde woman thought. Then she's changing. Maybe she's really trying to
be a different ruler... oh, gods, let it be true! With that thought, Gabrielle
went back home.

Chapter 16

Gabrielle's mother lived another week then, one night,
she closed her eyes forever. Lila and Gabrielle accepted her death stoically.
They knew Hecuba didn't suffer anymore and, although they missed her terribly,
they knew she was in a better place.

But now what about me? thought Gabrielle, watching her
mother's pyre burning slowly under the setting sun. Can I stay here... or not?
What will the Conqueror do? I can't believe she'll simply forget I exist. Not
after what I told her about my importance to the Resistance. Then what?

If Xena sets me free I can start a new life here. She
shook her head. No, this is not an option. I always wanted to leave Poteidaia,
mine wouldn't be a real life here. I would be useless. And I can't forget
my friends like that... Then I should go back to clandestinity. I'll be able
to resume my fight with the Resistence... Yes, but what if the Conqueror didn't
mean to set me free? She'll think I betrayed her trust! She'll hunt me down
until she arrests me again, and maybe she'll arrest Hector and Lila too, if
she thinks they know where I hide. No, no, I can't permit this. Then what? Surrender?
She sighed. It's so beautiful to be free again, to have someone to talk to,
decent food to eat, a house to live in... I don't know if I have the strength
to go back to the dungeon. Gabrielle shivered remembering her ordeal. If Xena
is just toying with me and I surrender, she'll kill me. But, if she's really
trying to change she needs me by her side now more than ever. It must be really
hard for her, and I could encourage her, strengthen her resolve. That would
be worth dying for. After all, what does my life matter if Xena will change,
even slowly... if she'll be a better ruler? Too many lives depend on her. I
have to take the chance. Yes, I have to go back, no matter what the price
may be. Gabrielle slowly nodded; she had made up her mind.

_____________________________

The day after the funeral Lila and Gabrielle went out
for a walk. The air was still cold, but the sun was getting warmer every day
and spring was approaching. Marcus was playing with his friends and Herodotus
was sleeping in his mother's arms. The blonde woman thought this was the right
moment to talk to her sister. "Lila, I have something to tell you," she started,
softly.

"Because I have to, Lila. The Conqueror never said she
was going to set me free, and I told you how she freed a friend of mine only
because I surrendered. If I don't go she may arrest her again. Besides, if she
wants to, she can always free me later..." Gabrielle patiently explained.

"Gab, your friend is safe now. If you go to Corinth,
however, Xena'll kill you. You've even told her you're the one who writes the
speeches for the rebels! You can't go. You have to hide!" She took her
sister's hands, "Please, Gabrielle, I just lost mother. I can't lose you, too."

Gabrielle shook her head, fighting back the tears. "Lila,
believe me, if I had another choice I wouldn't go. It breaks my heart to leave
you, especially now, but I have to leave. Think about it: if I hide in Corinth
or elsewhere, this is the first place they'll search me. I can't put you, Hector,
or the children in such a danger. I have already given you and Hector too many
problems. I have to go."

Lila paused and slowly nodded. Even if her heart screamed
this was crazy, her mind told her Gabrielle was right. She and Hector couldn't
risk being arrested. What would happen to Herodotus and Marcus then? It was
typical of Gabrielle to care of the others before herself, and Lila was thankful
to her sister for thinking of the children. At last she managed to say, "Gabrielle,
do what you think is right, but please think about it twice. After you go back
to her, there will be no turning back."

"I have thought about this, and I know the risk. And
I'm afraid that if I go, I won't see home again." the blonde woman said seriously
"Lila, I know we often disagreed on many subjects. We're different, even if
we're sisters. I only want you to know I've always loved you and even when I
left Poteidaia it wasn't because I didn't care, but--"

Lila stopped her "Gabrielle, please, I already know,
there's no need to explain. I love you. I always did and always will. And I
also believe that if someone can change the Empress, it's you." She hugged her
sister, crying, and little Herodotus, waking up, joined them with his screams.

"Thank you, Lila. I hope you're right," the blonde woman
replied, with a lump in her throat.

"Yeah. Well, when are you going to leave?" the younger
woman asked after a while, wiping her tears and lulling the baby.

"Tomorrow morning, at dawn."

"So early?? And how will you travel?"

"I'll walk," Gabrielle shrugged.

"Walk? Alone?" the blonde woman nodded. "Gab, it's too
dangerous. Corinth is too far for a woman alone. You risk not getting
there alive. We have to find someone, or I'll come with you..." the younger
woman said, worried.

"You have to take care of the children, Lila. Herodotus
is a newborn child and Marcus is only four. You can't leave them to Hector for
weeks. And I will have company long before Corinth. I'll ask the soldiers of
the Pella's garrison to escort me," Gabrielle explained trying to calm her sister.

"What? And do you think they will?" The younger woman
asked dubiously.

"When I'll tell them that the Conqueror made an edict
to arrest me, they will. I don't really think they wish to face Xena's anger
if something happens to me. Not that she's really going to get angry if anything
happens to me, but they don't know that," she smiled conspiratorially.

Lila shook her head "So you've already planned everything...
Gab, I'd really like to help you somehow. I can't really believe you're leaving
again, to go right in the hands of that harpy, and I can't do anything about
it!"

"Lila..."

"Yes, yes, I know... she's not that monster she pretends
to be. Just promise me you'll be careful, will you?" the younger woman pleaded,
a concerned look on her face.

"I will, Lila, I promise. And there is something
you can do." Lila watched her sister expectantly. Gabrielle explained, "Perdicus
and the others are surely worried about me now. It's been almost three moons
since I surrendered, and they haven't heard anything from me since. I want to
let them know I'm fine. I'm going to write a letter. Could you send it to Corinth
for me? There's a tavern, called ėThe Rising Sun'. The owner is a friend. He'll
deliver the letter to Perdicus. I know it's dangerous, but..."

"I will, Gabrielle. And don't you worry about the danger."
It's nothing compared to the danger you will face, Lila thought. "Well,
we better go home. If you're leaving tomorrow morning you have to prepare your
things... you'll need supplies for the journey, a blanket, oh, yes! Clean clothes
for when you meet the Conqueror..."

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow, doubtfully, "Lila, I don't
really think the Conqueror cares what her prisoners are wearing."

"She may not care, but I do, and you should. You're
the leader of the Rebellion, Gabrielle. You're not going to meet Xena
dressed as a smelling beggar! You'll take three changes of clothes with
you, and you'll wear the newest only when you'll arrive in Corinth. Got it?"

"Yes, mistress," the elder woman replied and laughing,
they went home.

_____________________________

The following morning Gabrielle woke up at dawn, finding
Lila already at work in the small kitchen. "Is my nose deceiving me or do I
smell nutbread?" she asked delighted.

"Good morning, Gab. I know it's your favorite. Here.
For you." Lila replied smiling, giving her sister a double portion of nutbread
and a cup of milk, and when the blonde woman finished eating, she offered her
another plate full of fruit.

"Thanks, sis, but it's too much..." Gabrielle declined
with a smile.

"Don't be silly, a long journey awaits you. You have
to be strong if you want to reach Corinth," insisted the younger woman.

"If I eat all this stuff, Lila, I'll roll to Corinth,
not walk!"

"Please Gabrielle! I'm your sister. Don't you think I
know you keep a monster in your stomach? Give it a single hour, and you'll be
able to eat as much as this, again." Lila teased, crossing her arms.

Both women laughed and, shaking her head in defeat, the
older one started eating the fruit. She then checked one more time that she
had packed everything she needed for her journey and rose.

Hector entered the room, cradling Herodotus in an arm
and Marcus in the other. "So you leave, Gabrielle," he said seriously, putting
down the older child. The blonde woman nodded "You can still change your mind..."

She smiled, "Thanks, but I can't. Marcus, honey, come
here." The child toddled to his aunt. Gabrielle lifted him up and sat him on
her knees "I have something important to tell you Marcus, listen to me," She
seriously started "I am leaving for a long, long journey."

Tears started rolling down the blonde woman's cheeks.
"No, I'm sorry. I'd like to have you by my side, but it's not possible... But
listen to me: I'll be back and then I'll take you to Athens to see the Acropolis.
I have many friends in Athens, you know? You'll meet them all. And then we'll
go to Olympia to see the games. And every night I'll tell you a different story.
Do you like the idea?"

"Yes, yes! When, auntie?" the child exclaimed, happy.

"As soon as I come back. My journey will be long, but
when I come home, we'll leave for Athens."

"Promise?"

She hugged the child tightly. "I promise, Marcus. But
you have to make me a promise, too. You have to be nice to mom and dad until
I'll come back. You have to deserve your prize. Will you be a good boy, Marcus?
You promise."

"I promise, auntie," he said seriously.

"Good." said Gabrielle, and swallowed hard. "Now go and
play with your friends. I have to say goodbye to your mom." She kissed him on
his curly hair and he ran out of the house to tell his friends about his aunt's
promise. The blonde woman rose and lifting her eyes, she saw that Lila was crying
and even Hector had moist eyes.

"Lila..."

"Oh, Gabrielle, be careful!" she said, tightly hugging
her sister. Hector approached and hugged them both, not knowing what to say.

"I will, Lila, I will." The older woman broke the embrace
and kissed the sleeping Herodotus "If I... When Herodotus is old enough, tell
him he had an aunt, short, blonde, and stubborn. Tell him she loved him..."
she said with a lump in her throat.

"You will tell him, Gabrielle," said Hector, "You'll
be back."

"Yes, I will. I'll try," the blonde woman wiped away
her tears and cleared her throat "Well, it's time for me to leave." She picked
up her gear, a staff Hector had made her for support and for defense, and left
the house. Hector and Lila accompanied her. At the village's borders, she hugged
them one last time, she said goodbye to her village she walked down the dusty
road unwilling to look back at her sad family waving goodbye.

Chapter 17

Gabrielle's journey was easier than she expected. In
Pella she learned that, within the previous month, the Conqueror had sent two
trusted undercover operatives to discover how the town was ruled. They found
corruption among the civil employees and laziness among the soldiers. As a result,
the highest civil officer and the commander of the garrison were executed and
their heads displayed on pikes at the town's main door. The new commander was
so afraid to fail the Conqueror even in the slightest way that when Gabrielle
told him Xena had made an edict just to arrest her, he immediately ordered her
arrest and gave her a huge escort of soldiers to Corinth. It seemed that lately
the Warrior Princess had declared a war against corruption: her spies were making
surprise inspections in every single town in the empire, and Pella's commander
surely didn't want to lose his head.

The journey was uneventful, but many anecdotes told by
the soldiers fueled Gabrielle's hope that the Conqueror was really changing.
Corinth was still many days away, but Gabrielle's renewed enthusiasm sparkled
in her eyes. She was looking forward to seeing Xena again.

_____________________________

Theodorus entered the throne room with a silly smile
on his face and bowed. "My liege."

Xena raised a questioning eyebrow. "What?"

"Well, I think we should do something about the dungeon,
my liege." He said, teasingly.

"No riddles, Theodorus. I'm not in the mood."

The soldier became instantly serious at the Conqueror's
menacing voice. "Yes, my queen. I mean, your dungeon has always been a place
that terrified everyone, wasn't it?"

"So?" the Conqueror asked, annoyed.

"Well, it seems it's not so scary anymore... the blonde,
Gabrielle, is here. Willingly again." The general had not liked Xena's decision
to let the girl leave, but now it seemed that the Warrior Princess had made
the right choice again. He smiled, his respect for the queen evident in his
eyes.

Xena put away the scrolls she was reading. "She's here?"

"Yes, my liege. Arrived half a candlemark ago."

The Conqueror had been informed of Hecuba's death almost
immediately after it happened. As the days passed and Gabrielle didn't come
back, however, she had lost hope to see the blonde woman again. Now she was
pleasantly surprised. "Bring her here," she said at last.

"My liege, may I remind you about the meeting with ..."

Xena interrupted him. "I know, Theodorus. I still have
half a candlemark. Bring her here." The officer bowed and left.

After some moments Xena heard a knock at the throne room's
door. "Come."

Theodorus entered and was dismissed even before he could
bow. Gabrielle got in and advanced towards the Conqueror. The blonde woman was
dressed as when she had left (even if now her clothes looked clean) and was
chained again, as if nothing had happened. When she was a few feet away from
the table at which Xena was sitting, she knelt, looking the Warrior Princess
in the eye. She's smiling! Gabrielle thought, she's happy to see me...

"Conqueror," she simply said, uncertain on how to say
the other things she had on her mind.

"Why are you here? Did you miss these?" she teasingly
said, touching the younger woman's manacles.

"Not really, but you never said I was free. And besides,
you were telling me your story. It would have been rude if I had left in the
middle of it, don't you think?" The blonde woman replied with a warm smile.

"There's another reason I came back." Gabrielle added,
summoning her courage.

"Really? What?" Xena asked, puzzled and offered her a
mug.

"Well, I was curious. I wanted to ask you about Killini.
How it felt doing good," she said accepting her wine.

So she heard, thought the Conqueror, and shrugged. "It
was just my duty. How should it feel?"

"No, it wasn't just your duty and you know it. You could
just send troops and supplies, but something compelled you to go there personally.
Nobody could ask you to heal the wounded, to dig with your bare hands, to risk
your life under the ruins. But you did it."

"I wanted to try something different for once." Xena
shrugged.

"And?" The blonde woman prompted.

"And it was less exciting than a battle and more tiring.
Same blood, same ruins, same misery. But more labour." Gabrielle held her breath,
hoping these words did not mean what she feared. The Warrior Princess continued,
"But it didn't feel bad, if it's what you wanna know. I felt useful."

Gabrielle shrugged, smiling weakly. "I'm proud, yes,
proud of you. I mean... I know it must have been a difficult choice for you.
You didn't have to do it. It was a hard journey, through the mountains; you
had to sleep in a tent, eat with the soldiers and see corpses all around...
You could have stayed here, pampered in your palace. Nobody would have criticized
you for it. I can imagine it's difficult to leave all of this" and she indicated
the huge room with a wave of her hand, "even just for a few days. I admire you
for it."

"Thanks," said a confused Conqueror.

"And I owe you for letting me see mother. I know what
you'd like me to do in exchange, but I really can't betray my friends."

"Gabrielle, I told you I don't..." started the Conqueror.

"Please, let me finish," the blonde woman interrupted
"I thought about what I could do to repay this debt, or at least to let you
know I'm thankful, but it's not easy..." Gabrielle shrugged. "You have everything,
and I couldn't come up with any good ideas. So it's really a silly little thing,
but well, after all what matters is the intention, isn't it? Here. It's for
you." She took a silk handkerchief from the sleeve of her shirt and, smiling
shyly, gave it to the Conqueror. "I know it's a poor gift, I don't mean disrespect,
much less flattery, but it's all I can afford."

Stunned, Xena accepted the gift. Not only had this woman
come back even knowing that in doing so her fate was sealed, she had also brought
a gift. And it wasn't a common present. She examined the uncommonly fine embroidery
work on the cloth: all around it ran a cornice of laurel leaves. On one corner
there was a little chakram, and inside it an "X" colored in gold and purple.

"Thank you, Gabrielle... it's... it's beautiful" the
Warrior Princess spoke at last "Did you do it?" The blonde woman blushed and
nodded. "You didn't have to... really. There was no need..."

"I know. But I wanted to" she smiled.

An embarrassed silence fell in the room. Xena cleared
her throat. "Well, thanks then... I'm glad you came back. Not that I couldn't
find you otherwise, but I'm glad you came willingly. I'm busy at the moment,
but later..."

Realizing it was a dismissal Gabrielle rose. "Sure. I'm
looking forward to it."

Xena clapped her hands and a soldier entered to lead
the prisoner away. The Conqueror studied the gift again, caressing the embroideries
with her fingers then, smiling, put it into her left gauntlet and with a cheerful
voice called Theodorus.

_____________________________

Later that day the Conqueror summoned Gabrielle again.
A small fire was burning in the fireplace warming the cool throne room, whose
walls were too thick to let the warmth of the spring sun through. The two women
sat on a sofa facing the fireplace, and Xena unceremoniously spoke.

"Well, where were we?"

Gabrielle reminded her where the story had ended. The
Conqueror steeled herself and spoke. "Right. I had a whole empire at my command
so I had no money problems. I built an army, but not too big at first... I didn't
want to scare anyone too much. I didn't want the larger towns to league against
me. It might have been an annoying problem. So I started attacking small villages
like any other warlord, then small towns. Then, when my position in Greece was
strong enough, big ones. I always gave them the opportunity to surrender. But
those who didn't were burned to the ground." She spoke keeping emotion out of
her voice, but it was a titanic effort. Inside she felt shame, guilt and pain
grow wider with every word. These emotions were completely new for the Destroyer
of Nations: she had always been proud of her conquests, but lately she was beginning
to see events in a different light.

How can she be so cold, thought Gabrielle unaware of
the Conqueror's inner turmoil. It seems like she's talking about the weather
when she says she destroyed hundreds of lives! "Gods..." the captive whispered,
not realizing she was voicing her thoughts.

"How could I?" The younger woman asked bravely "You talk
about towns and villages as if they were only points on a map, but you didn't
just change maps. The towns you burned were real, the men you killed had sons,
families! How am I supposed to accept that?"

"I didn't like it either, Gabrielle," the Conqueror replied
sadly, acknowledging that what the girl said was true. "But they chose
their destiny. They could surrender, and they didn't." Yeah, sure, she thought,
I gave them a great choice. "What else could I do?" she asked at last, in self-defense.

"You could stop," the blonde woman immediately replied.

"I couldn't. And if it weren't me, it would have been
some other warlord," Xena said, but uncertainty was transparent in her voice.

Gabrielle sensed her hesitation and pressed the issue.
"That's not an excuse, and you know it. Maybe another warlord would have destroyed
them as well, but it doesn't matter: it was you who sacked those towns,
not someone else." The raven haired woman did not reply, her sad blue eyes intently
watching the fire. "What happened then?" Gabrielle asked after some moments.

"In that period, Athens and Sparta were at war, each
supported by a league of allied towns. I secretly sold weapons to both, at a
cheap price, to let the war go on as long as possible." The captive woman gasped,
stunned at the revelation that someone could actually wish and act for
a war to last. Xena chose to ignore the sound. "Then Sparta won, too soon for
my plans. So I corrupted dignitaries in Sparta's allied towns, and they persuaded
the league to dictate humiliating conditions to Athens for peace. The people
of Athens, wounded in their pride, refused the peace offers and the war exploded
again." Gabrielle's eyes were wide with horror. "Both the armies were exhausted,
and the Athenian army was really at its limits. So after a few more weeks of
bloody battles I sold a load of worthless weapons to the Spartans then immediately
declared war on them. Athens' league was excited, now they had fresh men, better
weapons and the best leader. The Spartans were doomed, in fact we wiped them
away easily. When Sparta surrendered, Greece was mine. Athens was already on
her knees and couldn't seriously oppose me. They all had to recognize me as
their Queen."

"A brilliant plan," Gabrielle said disgustedly, unable
to wait any longer. "You could really be proud of it if it weren't for the useless
deaths it caused."

"Useless? No, Gabrielle. Spartans and Athenians would
have died as well, fighting against my army. This way, when I attacked, they
were so weak I won with few casualties. This way I saved many of my men." Xena
replied, matter-of-factly, but before her eyes she could see the battles she
fought in that war: the blood, the screams of the dying soldiers, the tears
of their families... and for the first time she asked herself if her vengeance
was worth it.

"Even admitting this is true, you organized a war between
two towns ready for peace only because it fit your plans of conquest! You betrayed
both the leagues! They trusted you. It's awful..." Gabrielle continued, unaware
of the effect her words were having on Xena's conflicting emotions, and not
thinking that she was openly questioning the Conqueror's deeds.

"Divide et impera, Caesar taught me that" Xena said,
defensively.

"And you learned well," the blonde woman's lips said,
before she could stop them.

Xena jerked at the retort, angrily opened and closed
her mouth several times, looking for the right answer to such disrespectful
words, but she couldn't find any. They were just the truth.

"Yes, I did" she quietly admitted at last, looking at
the bearskin laying before the fireplace, her legs aching at the memory of Caesar's
lesson. After a long pause, she asked "Do you still want to know what happened
next?"

"Yes, I do. Go on, please" the younger woman softly replied.
Even if hearing of wars and battles sickened her, Gabrielle needed to know everything.
It was the only way to really help Xena: know her and her past, her joys and
pains, her dreams and fears. The stunned blonde woman listened as the Conqueror
recalled her countless, bloody victories: the Destroyer of Nations remembered
the betrayal she used against her friend Boadicea to claim Britannia. She recalled
the countless battles she fought against the Roman legions under the burning
African sun for possession of Egypt. She relived the final battle against Caesar
and the few still loyal to him and her glorious triumph in the Forum when Rome
proclaimed her empress, Caesar chained to her chariot. She explained in detail
how she unmercifully tamed the Gaul tribes, burning villages and wiping away
entire forests to make new crosses for them.

Gabrielle, fists clenched, was barely able to remain
silent while the Conqueror mentioned the moaning of the dying rebels, begging
for their sufferings to end, but couldn't restrain her temper when Xena mentioned
the massacre of the Centaurs and the Amazon nation.

"How could you do that?" She exclaimed, her green eyes
flashing anger. "Why did you do that? The Amazons lived happily in their
hunting grounds, they wanted nothing more. They weren't a threat to your empire!
And the Centaurs were already weak from the previous wars with the Amazons,
they weren't a danger either."

The Conqueror shrugged. "The Centaurs had to stay out
of it. I couldn't let them help my enemies and do nothing about it. I had
to punish them. I had to make them an example."

"But that is the point, Conqueror!" the younger
woman insisted "The Amazons weren't your enemies! They refused to help you,
but they would have refused to help your enemies, too. They had nothing against
you. They just wanted peace."

"Whoever isn't with me is against me, Gabrielle. I couldn't
risk it. They had to choose between me and my enemies, and they made the wrong
choice."

"Why? Do you always make the right ones?" Gabrielle
asked, sarcastically.

The question made Xena feel suddenly dizzy. No, she thought
painfully, I don't always make the right choices, not at all. I made my mistakes,
too. I was wrong when I used my first army against the villages' league... wrong
when I trusted Caesar. And I was wrong when I declared war on the whole world.
At that moment the need to protect Amphipolis was just an excuse... I brought
hurt and destruction into countless lives just to build my empire! Gods, how
many people did I murder only because it fit my plans? How many people cried
because of me? How am I different from Cortese?

Images of death and destruction flashed behind the Conqueror's
eyes, the horror of her deeds dawning on her in its full monstrosity. The small
fire burning in the fireplace called up images of the huge fire that burnt Cirra
and so many other towns. She heard once again the desperate cries of the families
trapped in the burning houses, she saw the Centaurs slayed by her troops, she
remembered countless battlefields, rows and rows of crosses... and desperation
overcame her. Gods, what did I do? She thought. How could I do it? And
always without realizing all the pain I caused... No, without caring
for it! I'm a monster! How can I think I can change, how can I think that being
a better ruler now will erase the past? Whatever I'll do now, it won't bring
back to life any of my victims!

The Conqueror was breathing heavily, her eyes wide in
shock. Gabrielle, concerned, seeing Xena's pale, sweating face and horrified
eyes, touched her on the arm and hesitatingly asked "Conqueror, are you okay?"

Xena jerked at the touch as if the younger woman's hand
was a burning iron and instinctively jumped to her feet slamming her elbow into
Gabrielle's jaw, the violence of the blow sending the blonde woman fly down
the sofa. The Conqueror stood there, mouth open in disbelief, watching the little
woman slowly try to sit, holding her bleeding jaw with a quivering hand, green
eyes unfocused. After some moments Xena swallowed hard and called a soldier.
When he entered, she almost shouted "Away! Take her away. Now!" and while the
guard dragged the still dizzy prisoner out of the room, the Conqueror fell on
her knees before the fire, tears streaming down her face. Won't it ever end?
She thought. Will I ever stop hurting people? Even Gabrielle... What did she
do to deserve this? She came back to listen to me... she trusted me, and I almost
killed her because she touched me! Gods, I'm only a monster... a monster...

_____________________________

Gabrielle closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm
herself and ease the pain pulsing through her chin. She took the piece of cloth
she had torn from her sleeve and soaked it for the umpteenth time in the bucket
of cold water found in her cell. She winced when the rag touched her skin again.
She could feel her left cheek already swelling and wondered if she had a broken
bone or tooth. She sighed. This time I really asked for it, she thought. I can't
believe I did it again! The Conqueror was talking to me, and I provoked her.
I openly questioned her deeds instead of giving careful opinions; I angered
her instead of helping her. No wonder she was so angry that she hit me when
I touched her... Stupid, stupid, stupid! But I couldn't help it. I knew she
had hurt a lot of people, but hearing it, I just couldn't keep silent. The blonde
woman shuddered remembering the details of the conversation. Gods, how much
pain Xena caused everywhere she went... yet the real tragedy is that she's a
victim, too. She has suffered so much. She was just a young village girl when
she had to take up the sword to survive, and since then she has never put it
down. She has always had new threats to face. This is the only life she knows.
How can I blame her if she's ruthless, if her enemies' life has no value for
her? If only she hadn't met Caesar... If only someone could touch her heart...
she must feel so lonely. Gabrielle soaked the rag again. But now what will she
do? She's angry at me, that's obvious. She even hit me, but that's not the point.
Will she still think she can, she must change, now that I angered her? Because
she was really changing... Oh, gods, I can't have ruined everything!

That thought alone hurt the blonde woman more than her
jaw. Absorbed in her musings, Gabrielle didn't notice the cells door open and
realized with a start she wasn't alone anymore.

"Don't worry, child, I'm here to help you" the approaching
old man said, with a reassuring voice.

_____________________________

"How is she?" Xena asked hastily as the healer exited
the cell, concern evident on her face.

"There's nothing broken, my liege." the old man respectfully
explained. "It's just a bruise. I put some salve on it and gave the girl a painkiller.
She'll be fine in a few days."

"Are you sure?" the Conqueror asked, doubtfully.

"Yes, my liege, there's really nothing to worry about,"
the healer replied, surprised to see the Conqueror concerned for a prisoner,
and for such a minor injury. "You can see it personally, if..."

Xena interrupted the healer and, with a wave of her hand,
dismissed him as she released a breath of relief. So it's nothing serious, she
thought. Thank the gods. But it was so close... Xena shuddered at the memory
of the young woman's pain filled eyes while the soldier was dragging her away.
Gods, she's the only one who saw something good in me, she trusted me, and I
almost killed her! She must be terrified now. I should go in, comfort her...
explain... What? That I didn't really want to hurt her? That it was just my
training? Yeah, sure, ėsorry Gabrielle, my arm moved of its own will, I wasn't
able to stop it in time.' She'll believe that, sure... The Conqueror leaned
against the wall, shaking her head, disgusted at herself; the shame she felt
was overwhelming. No, I can't see her. I can't look her in the eyes...
not now. And my appearance would only scare her more.

"Damn!" she exclaimed, slamming her fist on the rough
stone wall. I can't, can't keep hurting people like this. Gabrielle is right.
I really have to change. It won't undo the past, but at least it will protect
my subjects in the future. I have to do it. Even if Gabrielle won't ever
forgive me for what I did, at least what she suffered won't be useless. And
wondering how this young girl could be so important to her, sadly, Xena went
back to the throne room.